ULUPALAKUA – Maui’s Winery and Ulupalakua Ranch Store invite the public to come on up to Upcountry Maui for another Sunday Drive Fest-“Ulupalakua Remembers” on Sunday, March 6, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event will commemorate the rich heritage of the area with amazing live entertainment, historical highlights and informal “talk stories”—and of course, delicious food and wine!
Only on Maui could you find such an accessible lineup of renowned musical talent. Brittni Paiva—perhaps the finest female ‘ukulele player in Hawai‘i—will get things started at 11 a.m. on the winery grounds. An award-winning musician who plays not only ‘ukulele, but guitar, electric bass, piano and drums, Brittni brings traces of jazz, rock, flamenco, classical and world music into her multifaceted sound (as evidenced on her new CD, “Four Strings: The Fire Within”).
At 1 p.m., ki ho‘alu master Cyril Pahinui takes the stage with Peter Moon, Jr. and Jeff Auhoy. Son of the great Gabby Pahinui, Cyril started playing slack key guitar at age 7, and by 12 was playing concerts. At 15, he was part of his father’s band, and later he played on many of Gabby’s albums. Over the years, Cyril found his own sound with The Sandwich Isle Band, the Peter Moon Band and the Pahinui Brothers, as well as through his solo work—garnering Na Hoku Hanohano Awards for Best Contemporary Hawaiian Album, Best Male Vocalist, and Instrumental Album of the Year.
Another island favorite, Uncle Benny Uyetake returns to Ulupalakua with his smooth slack key stylings at the ranch store from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Along with the chance to see such musical greats comes the opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in Ulupalakua’s fabled history. From noon to 1 p.m., Dorothy Terada Nakata will lead a Talk Story in the winery’s pavilion. Dorothy’s father Mitsuji Terada was bookkeeper of Ulupalakua Ranch for 45 years, and Dorothy was born in her family’s home on the ranch in 1928. From her childhood growing up among the paniolo, she has many stories to tell, giving her lucky listeners a rare and fascinating glimpse into Maui’s past.
Nakata will be introduced by Debbie Von Tempsky Grundhauser, whose grandmother lived in the Ulupalakua Ranch house in the early 1900s. In addition, other kupuna will participate in an informal “open house” to share stories with each other and the public in a uniquely island-style way.
Looking from the past to the future, representatives from Kula Community Association will be on hand to talk story about their vision for the area.
If you’re in the mood for a picnic, you’ll find all you need at Ulupalakua Ranch Store Deli & Grill. Lunch specials from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. include Maui Cattle Company burgers (featuring 100 percent natural, premium Angus beef raised on Maui), Ulupalakua Elk Burgers, the ranch’s famous Ulupalakua Steak Chili, and Maui Gold Pineapple, along with salads, sandwiches, treats and more.
Free wine tasting is offered throughout the day in the King’s Cottage Tasting Room, with the morning tour of Maui’s Winery beginning at 10:30 a.m.
“Come on up and help us share, celebrate and preserve the special history of this area for many generations to come!” says Sumner Erdman, Ulupalakua Ranch president.
About the Sunday Drives
Ulupalakua hosts quarterly “Sunday Drive” events to share and honor different aspects of this unique historic area. In the spring, it’s “Ulupalakua Remembers,” celebrating the rich heritage of this historic ranchland. Summertime is “Ulupalakua Inspires,” celebrating the beauty that has captivated artists for generations. Fall is “Ulupalakua Cares,” celebrating the commitment to agriculture and open space in our community. And winter is “Ulupalakua Sparkles,” celebrating the arrival of the holidays with Maui-style gifts and festivities.
Each event features live music on the beautiful grounds of Maui’s Winery, lunch specials at Ulupalakua Ranch Store, free wine tasting, and opportunities to learn more about the area’s history and culture. Presented in part by Jazz Alley TV/MauiFEST Hawai?i and HawaiiONTV.com
Maui?s Award winning filmmaker Ken.K Martinez Burgmaier will be on location with his HD Film Crews directing two of his latest film projects on Brittni Paiva and Cyril Pahinui.
For more information about the Sunday Drives, call toll-free 1-877-878-6058 / 808-573-5530. To learn more about Ulupalakua, please visit mauiwine.com, ulupalakuaranch.com and HawaiiONTV.com for News Video Segments of past Sunday Drive Events! More about Ulupalakua Sunday Drive here on A Maui Blog
